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The US government has levied restrictions on a operation of four individuals and four companies charged of recruiting former Colombian soldiers to support and educate a armed faction in Sudan the United States claims of acts of genocide.

Group Makeup

Disclosing the sanctions on this week, the Treasury stated the operation was largely composed of individuals and businesses from Colombia.

Numerous of former Colombian military personnel have reportedly travelled to Sudan to combat beside the RSF paramilitary group, a group accused of severe violations including targeted ethnic killings and large-scale abductions.

Discovery of Participation

The involvement of Colombian fighters was first uncovered in 2024, prompted by an inquiry which found that over three hundred retired troops had been hired to engage in combat – an event that prompted an unusual statement of regret from officials in Bogotá.

These South American veterans have long been considered as among the world’s most sought-after mercenaries due to their vast combat experience gleaned from decades of civil war, training on Nato equipment, and high-level combat training.

Role in the Conflict

In Sudan, the Colombians have been accused of teaching minors, provided drone warfare training, and participated in direct battles. An individual involved previously stated that instructing minors was "terrible and insane" but commented that "unfortunately that’s how war is".

Targeted Persons

Among those targeted was Álvaro Andrés Quijano Becerra, a individual with dual citizenship and ex-soldier operating from the United Arab Emirates. The US authorities accused him a key part in enlisting and transporting mercenaries to Sudan. His wife, Claudia Oliveros, was penalized as well.

Also on the restricted list was Mateo Andrés Duque Botero, a dual national who authorities say managed a business accused of managing finances and payments for the network. "Recently, companies in the United States connected to Duque conducted several money transfers, totalling millions of US dollars," the Treasury statement said.

Citizen of Colombia Mónica Muñoz Ucros was the fourth individual to be targeted, with the company she managed alleged to have financial transactions linked to Duque and his companies.

"The US once more urges outside forces to cease providing funding and arms to the belligerents," the Treasury said in a statement.

Reaction

An expert, with the International Crisis Group, labeled the measures as a "very significant" step, noting that "targeting the enablers is the proper strategy".

She added that, the Colombian government recently passed a statute approving the International Convention Against the Recruitment and Use of Mercenaries, designed to limit its citizens' long history in foreign conflicts and change domestic defense strategy.

Sean McFate, a scholar on the subject, advised additional measures, saying that "restrictions are needed but not enough for addressing widespread use of contractors".

"It’s an illicit economy and operating from the UAE, which is largely insulated from sanctions," he said. The UAE has been widely accused of supplying weapons to the paramilitary group, claims it rejects. "More contractors from Colombia are likely," McFate warned.